Originally built as a fortified house, Gwydir Castle was refurbished in the 1540’s using reclaimed Gothic building material from nearby Maenan Abbey

Gwydir Castle is set in the picturesque vale of Conwy in Snowdonia and was built by Howell Coetmore who was commander of the longbow men at the battle of Poitiers in 1356. The castle was the home of the Wynn baronets, descendants of the Kings and Princes of Gwynedd.

In 1490 after the War of the Roses, Gwydir was rebuilt by Meredith Wynn who was a stout supporter of King Henry VII. Originally built as a fortified house, Gwydir was refurbished in the 1540’s using reclaimed Gothic building material from nearby Maenan Abbey and towards the end of the 1500’s an Elizabethan porch and gardens were added. Sir Charles Barry, the architect of the Houses of Parliament made further alterations in 1828.

Gwydir Castle has been the home of Royalty and associated with the famous. Katherine of Berain, cousin of Queen Elizabeth I, resided in the castle during the 1570’s. Whilst other people of note were Inigo Jones, Bishop Morgan who was translator of the first Welsh bible, as well as Archbishop John Williams, Lord keeper to Charles I.

Other points of interest was the association of Gwydir castle with the Babington Plot of 1586 and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

King Charles XIV was rumoured to have visited in 1645 as a guest to the then Lord of the house and King George V and his wife Queen Mary stayed at the castle as the Duke and Duchess of York.

More recently, HRH the Prince of Wales, opened the newly reinstated dining rooming dating from the 1640’s in 1989.

Tourist Information

Opening Times:

1st March - 31st October daily - 10am - 4.30pm.

Closed occasionally on Saturdays for weddings - please telephone

Limited openings at other times;

Guided tours by arrangement.

Admission:

Adult £3.50

Child £1.50

Group discount 10% (over 30 persons)